Ontinued investment to close the gap statement by
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- 2013–14 Budget initiatives to Close the Gap in Community Safety
- Community Legal Centres and Legal Assistance
- Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory—Community Safety and Justice
- Initiatives to combat petrol sniffing
- National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children
- Governance and leadership
- 2013–14 Budget initiatives to Close the Gap in Governance and Leadership
- Creative Australia—Indigenous Languages Support Program
- Constitutional Recognition
- Reconciliation Australia
- Funding for support services for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Funding associated with apology for forced adoptions
- Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory—Remote Engagement and Coordination
- National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance
Safe CommunitiesThe safety and wellbeing of families, particularly women and children, is a critical part of a strong and healthy community. All Australians deserve to live free from violence and abuse. All governments have a vital role to play in ensuring children grow up in safe homes. The Australian Government recognises this and is contributing by supporting measures that improve community safety and restore social norms. 2013–14 Budget initiatives to Close the Gap in Community SafetyCape York Welfare ReformThe Australian Government is providing $24.5 million to continue Cape York Welfare Reform measures in partnership with the Queensland Government, Cape York Regional organisations and four Indigenous communities in Cape York (Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge). This funding over two calendar years to 31 December 2015 will build on the significant gains already made in restoring local authority and leadership, school attendance and parental responsibility, and will continue the work of the Family Responsibilities Commission. This investment also includes new measures to further support school enrolment and attendance and re-engage youth with education, jobs and life skills. The Cape York Welfare Reforms will continue to assist individuals, families and their communities to restore local indigenous authority and social norms, increase school attendance and economic opportunity, help individual participants into the real economy, support small business and reduce welfare dependency.
In addition, $10.3 million over four years will go towards hiring additional lawyers, support staff and experts in Community Legal Centres around the country. This will include local centres whose work includes a focus on the needs of Indigenous clients. The 2013–14 Budget builds on the ongoing work the Government is undertaking to ensure the safety of Indigenous people, particularly women and children.
The continued deployment of 60 additional Northern Territory police officers to remote communities Building of four new remote police complexes The operation of community night patrols in 81 communities Continuing Australian Government support for the Northern Territory's Child Abuse Task Force, the National Aboriginal Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force, and the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desks, including the Dog Operations Unit Continued provision of Aboriginal legal assistance services. In addition, a further $75.6 million was provided to support communities to develop and implement alcohol management plans and better tackle the devastating and harmful effects of alcohol abuse. Funding of $13.7 million was also provided to continue investment in the Alice Springs Transformation Plan for a range of projects that include alcohol treatment, school enrolment and attendance, the safety and well-being of women and children, parenting skills education and support and support for at-risk tenants. Breaking the CycleUnder the Breaking the Cycle of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Indigenous Communities program, the Government has committed $20 million over three years from 2011–12 to assist a number of communities in remote, regional or urban areas address alcohol and substance misuse issues. Through Breaking the Cycle, communities are supported to work with government and non-government organisations at a local level to develop a Community Alcohol and Substance Abuse Management Plan and provide prevention programs to tackle youth substance abuse. Breaking the Cycle is operating in Bourke, Brewarrina and Condobolin in New South Wales; Doomadgee and Mornington Island in Queensland; Ceduna and surrounds, including Oak Valley, Scotdesco, Yalata, and Koonibba in South Australia; Laverton and the surrounding Goldfields region, including Leonora, the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, and Warburton and the East Pilbara in Western Australia. Initiatives to combat petrol sniffingThe Petrol Sniffing Strategy is a whole-of-government initiative which aims to reduce the incidence and impact of petrol sniffing and substance misuse in remote communities across Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia. A recent evaluation found that a dramatic reduction in petrol sniffing has been achieved by the Petrol Sniffing Strategy, primarily through the roll out of low aromatic fuel and the introduction of additional youth services. To build on the success of the strategy, the Low Aromatic Fuel Bill was enacted in February 2013. The Low Aromatic Fuel Act strengthens the voluntary rollout of low aromatic fuel and the coordination of state and territory approaches to control the use of volatile substances. The Government is providing $115.9 million over five years from 2011–12 to support the rollout of low aromatic fuel, including $38.5 million provided in the 2010–11 Budget to expand the rollout of low aromatic fuel to additional sites in northern Australia. Currently, 129 sites receive low aromatic fuel. Complementary projects including youth activities, health promotion resources and prevention and education activities will support the roll out and use of low aromatic fuel in these areas.
The National Plan supports Indigenous communities to create and build on their own solutions to prevent violence. This includes encouraging women to have a stronger voice as community leaders, providing leadership opportunities for Indigenous women, supporting Indigenous men to reject violence as well as improving employment, education and business opportunities in Indigenous communities. The National Plan aims to make a significant and lasting reduction in violence against Indigenous women and children. This will be achieved by drawing on research and experience, identifying and promoting what measures work well in Indigenous communities, improving how we deal with perpetrators and enhancing the way services respond to victims of violence. The Australian Government has provided over $86 million since 2009 to support initiatives under the National Plan. Governance and leadershipEssential to closing the gap is supporting Aboriginal people to take greater responsibility, strong leadership roles in their families and communities and to have a greater role in the design and implementation of polices that affect them. We also know that closing the gap requires a strong partnership approach. The Government is working with Indigenous communities to deliver positive change. This partnership approach is underpinned by trust, respect and goodwill between governments and Indigenous people. The Government is also promoting a greater level of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through its support for Reconciliation Australia and constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Government believes a referendum to bring about constitutional change should be held at a time when it has the most chance of success and we have committed $10 million towards a campaign being led by Reconciliation Australia to continue to build support for such change. The 2013–14 Budget is also providing $1.3 million over two years to support the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The Committee will work to establish a parliamentary and community consensus on referendum proposals. 2013–14 Budget initiatives to Close the Gap in Governance and LeadershipNational Congress of Australia’s First PeoplesThe Government is continuing to support a national voice for Indigenous Australians by providing $15 million from 2014–15 to 2016–17 to maintain its support for the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. This builds on the $29.2 million provided for the establishment of the Congress, which includes funding for 2013–14. This funding will enable the Congress to effectively represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contribute to government processes including engagement, policy development and the evaluation and review of program performance. It will provide Indigenous Australians across the country with a national voice as well as providing a focal point for them to engage with government. Creative Australia—Indigenous Languages Support ProgramAdditional funding of $14 million for the Indigenous Languages Support Program will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support the maintenance, revival, and development of their traditional languages. Funding will help Indigenous communities work with schools, libraries and cultural organisations to ensure the continued and long-term use of traditional languages. This investment responds to the recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Inquiry into language learning in Indigenous communities, ‘Our Land Our Languages’. Constitutional RecognitionThe Australian Government is committed to recognising Indigenous people in Australia’s Constitution and wants meaningful reform that reflects the hopes and aspirations of Indigenous people and unites the nation. The Government is providing $1.3 million over two years to support the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The role of the Committee is to work to establish a parliamentary and community consensus on referendum proposals. This builds on the $10 million investment by the Australian Government to help build public awareness and community support for change. This important work is being led by Reconciliation Australia, supported by a reference group of business and community leaders. 2013–14 Budget initiatives to Close the Gap in Governance and Leadership (continued) Reconciliation AustraliaIn February 2013, the Government announced funding for Reconciliation Australia of $14.4 million over four years from 2013–14 to promote reconciliation and build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Reconciliation Australia helps businesses and organisations develop Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) which include practical steps to build understanding and create opportunities for Indigenous Australians. So far more than 350 organisations have developed a RAP with approximately 1.7 million Australians working or studying in RAP organisations. RAP organisations have helped secure almost 20,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians, about $15 million for educational scholarships for Indigenous students, and more than $58 million in transactions with Indigenous businesses. Recent research conducted by Auspoll for Reconciliation Australia indicates that trust is significantly higher between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in RAP organisations, when compared to the wider community, and that prejudice is lower. Funding for support services for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual AbuseThe Australian Government understands the importance of ensuring that Indigenous Australian survivors of institutional child sexual abuse are supported to participate in the Royal Commission. The Government is investing $45 million over four years from 2012 to deliver services such as counselling, support and case management to individuals and affected family members, including Indigenous people, before, during and after their engagement with the Royal Commission to assist in the recovery process. Funding associated with apology for forced adoptionsThe Australian Government is providing $11.5 million over four years to facilitate access to a range of health and social support services for people affected by past forced adoption practices, including Indigenous people. The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that any service response includes culturally appropriate support for Indigenous people affected by past adoption practices. The response will build on existing non-government services that are already funded by the Australian, state and territory governments and incorporate referral pathways to existing health and psychological services. The initiatives in the 2013–14 Budget build on existing programs and agreements that are helping to strengthen leadership and governance in Indigenous communities. Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory—Remote Engagement and CoordinationThe Australian Government is providing $427.4 million over 10 years under the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory package, which was announced in the 2012–13 Budget, for a range of initiatives to improve government engagement with remote communities and better coordinate the planning and delivery of services. Initiatives funded under this measure include: Establishment of Regional Engagement Teams comprising Indigenous Engagement Officers and Government Engagement Coordinators who live and work in communities, with the aim of embedding a sustainable long-term working relationship between government and communities. Continued support for the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service to ensure Aboriginal people have access to interpreters when they are needed. Involvement of communities in planning and measuring what is happening in their communities under the Stronger Futures package. Support to strengthen governance and leadership of local Aboriginal organisations and communities.
The National Partnership Agreement is improving access to services, raising the level of services, improving governance and leadership and increasing economic and social participation. Already the Agreement is delivering tangible benefits: There has been an increase in the range, standard and accessibility of services. This includes new early childhood centres and programs, new or upgraded school facilities, new or upgraded health clinics, new or refurbished housing and an increased police presence. In addition, more local employment and training opportunities are being created. The Agreement has empowered these remote communities to work with government to identify local priorities, Local Reference Groups are supporting community engagement with government to deliver improved service delivery through the development and implementation of Local Implementation Plans. A continuing government presence in communities, through Government Engagement Coordinators and Indigenous Engagement Officers, is facilitating the coordination of government services and has enhanced communication between government and communities. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s AllianceIn February 2013, the Australian Government announced funding of almost $4.8 million until June 2016 for six National Women’s Alliances, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA). NATSIWA enables women from rural, regional and urban areas to share information, identify issues from their own communities and bring these to government. Directory: sites -> default -> files -> documents -> 05 2013 documents -> In the Red and Brown Water documents -> - documents -> Cbp and Trade Automated Interface Requirements Appendix: pga december 22, 2015 documents -> Ace abi catair customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements documents -> Ace abi catair customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements documents -> Mobile audio/video recording systems documents -> The south australian government gazette documents -> All public acts appearing in this gazette are to be considered official, and obeyed as such documents -> Union interparlementaire inter-parliamentary union 05 2013 -> Families, housing, community services and indigenous affairs portfolio Download 131.5 Kb. Share with your friends:
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